Dio Disciples Set Sights on Original Album in 2017

In August earlier this year, Dio Disciples shocked the world when they debuted a hologram of Ronnie James Dio at the Wacken Open Air Festival. With ambitions to eventually take the hologram on the road, Dio Disciples have even more plans, including an album of original material with an eye on a summer 2017 release.

Guitarist Craig Goldy spoke with Sleaze Roxx about the hologram, stating the band is following in Ronnie's footsteps, aiming to give as much back to the fans as possible. Moving forward, the former Dio member said, "At the moment, the goal is to have an album written and recorded and have it out by the summer of 2017. The idea is to have songs written by people that were in the [Dio] band or close to the [Dio] family. Also, the other criteria is that the songs would be done in a manner which Ronnie would approve."

The guitarist mentioned the band has been working with former Dio bassist and producer Jeff Pilson on demo material for the record, writing "top-notch" songs. The Disciples won't stick with Pilson behind the board, however, seeking a "younger producer that can get us a ‘current sound.'" Not entirely sure about the producer situation, Goldy did leave the door open when he added, "Jeff could very well produce some songs on the album at this point. I just don’t know."

The Dio Disciples guitarist also confirmed that the band is currently in negotiations with a record label to release the album. The band features a rotating cast of musicians with the current members listed as singers Tim "Ripper" Owens, Joe Retta and Oni Logan, guitarist Craig Goldy, bassist Bjorn Englen, keyboardist Scott Warren and drummer Simon Wright.

See Where Ronnie James Dio Ranks Among the Top 50 Hard Rock + Metal Frontmen of All Time